The United Nations Mission Support in Libya (UNSMIL) called on Tuesday for halting the return of refugees and migrants to Libya, particularly the war-affected areas.
“Thousands of civilians are moving on a daily basis to safer locations in cities along the coast and towards the Nafusa Mountains. Humanitarian needs are rising as food and medicines are limited and movement within the city is difficult,” the UNSMIL said in a statement.
This statement was issued after 65 people out of 944 had drowned off the coast of Tunisia in the past week while departing from the Libyan coast in boats to flee the war in the western region.
The ongoing clashes have killed more than 440 people and displaced nearly 60,000 since they began on April 4, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The UNSMIL also expressed concern over the status of 3,300 refugees and migrants who have been held in detention centres across Libya, particularly in western Libya.
